Bobbie (Roberta), Phyllis, and Peter have an idyllic home situation: a comfortable house, servants, and loving parents. In one terrible evening everything changes. Several men arrive at their London home, and soon the children learn that their father has had to leave home quite quickly on business. Their mother spends much time away from home, seeing many people, and returning to her children weary and discouraged. The servants whisper, but Mother does not tell Bobbie, Phyllis, or Peter where Father is. They try to be understanding and be a support to her.
A second great change occurs when Mother announces that they must move from the city and take a home in the country. They arrive by train late one evening in a small country English village. From there they walk to their new home, "Three Chimneys." The children love their new life in the country, even though the mystery surrounding their father hangs over their heads.
Bobbie is a sweet, understanding older sister. She is perceptive and tries to lessen Mother's burden. Peter does his best to be the man of the house. This duty drives him to commit a felony - but all comes out alright in the end. Phyllis, like Bobbie, is sweet, but she is not quite as clever or quick as her siblings. Her literal interpretation of phrases and pictures is humorous and adds lightness and comedy to the children's adventures.
A train, the 9:15, passes through the village and the land adjoining their house. They decide to wave to the train each morning, imagining that it will take their love to Father. They create an unique friendship with one of the wealthy passengers. They refer to him as the Old Gentleman. He always waves back, and several times he plays an important role in their adventures and the outcome of their story.
Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter also make friends with Mr. Perks, who works at the train station, and decide to help him celebrate his birthday, which has almost disastrous results. The other adventures of the Railway Children include a houseboat fire, an encounter with danger, a poor refugee, and a paper chase.
The Railway Children may not take place in an exotic locale, but its magic is in its simplicity of life and characters. It does not have a strong plot line; its enjoyment is in the little stories and subplots that fill their lives at the "Three Chimneys." The people the children help and the people who help them, the loyalty and love of the family, and bravery and courage reside in this little story. I hope you will join Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter at the "Three Chimneys," wave to the 9:15, and remember the simple joys and hopes of childhood.
If you're like me, you love great stories but cannot always find the time to sit down with the physical copy of the book. Whether I'm doing chores around the house or driving to school, I love having a good audiobook to listen to. I highly recommend this excellent recording of Edith Nesbit's classic children's story by Tantor. It is performed by Renee Raudman.
A second great change occurs when Mother announces that they must move from the city and take a home in the country. They arrive by train late one evening in a small country English village. From there they walk to their new home, "Three Chimneys." The children love their new life in the country, even though the mystery surrounding their father hangs over their heads.
Bobbie is a sweet, understanding older sister. She is perceptive and tries to lessen Mother's burden. Peter does his best to be the man of the house. This duty drives him to commit a felony - but all comes out alright in the end. Phyllis, like Bobbie, is sweet, but she is not quite as clever or quick as her siblings. Her literal interpretation of phrases and pictures is humorous and adds lightness and comedy to the children's adventures.
A train, the 9:15, passes through the village and the land adjoining their house. They decide to wave to the train each morning, imagining that it will take their love to Father. They create an unique friendship with one of the wealthy passengers. They refer to him as the Old Gentleman. He always waves back, and several times he plays an important role in their adventures and the outcome of their story.
Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter also make friends with Mr. Perks, who works at the train station, and decide to help him celebrate his birthday, which has almost disastrous results. The other adventures of the Railway Children include a houseboat fire, an encounter with danger, a poor refugee, and a paper chase.
The Railway Children may not take place in an exotic locale, but its magic is in its simplicity of life and characters. It does not have a strong plot line; its enjoyment is in the little stories and subplots that fill their lives at the "Three Chimneys." The people the children help and the people who help them, the loyalty and love of the family, and bravery and courage reside in this little story. I hope you will join Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter at the "Three Chimneys," wave to the 9:15, and remember the simple joys and hopes of childhood.
If you're like me, you love great stories but cannot always find the time to sit down with the physical copy of the book. Whether I'm doing chores around the house or driving to school, I love having a good audiobook to listen to. I highly recommend this excellent recording of Edith Nesbit's classic children's story by Tantor. It is performed by Renee Raudman. 
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